Coalition touts jobs, revenue that will come with casinos

Business Council of New York State Vice President of Government Affairs Ken Pokalsky speaks Wednesday at Saratoga Casino and Raceway during a press conference urging a “yes” vote on Proposal 1, which would authorize four additional casinos in New York state.
Erica Miller @togianphotog — The Saratogian

New York Gaming Association President James Featherstonhaugh speaks to the media following the press conference on Proposal 1.
Erica Miller @togianphotog — The Saratogian

SARATOGA SPRINGS >> Members of the coalition New York Jobs Now were at the Saratoga Casino and Raceway on Wednesday touting the casino referendum on the November ballot as a large-scale job creator that will deliver more than $35 million yearly for schools, property tax relief and local government aid in the Capital Region.

Proposition 1 on the November ballot, which would authorize four additional casinos in New York state, including one in the Capital Region, could bring in 10,000 new state jobs, members of the coalition members said. The group of economic development, education and labor leaders are urging the public to vote “yes” on the proposition next Tuesday.

At present, Saratoga Casino and Raceway has electronic table games and slot-like video lottery terminals only. If the statewide referendum passes, full-scale gambling, with live dealers for games such as blackjack, poker, craps and roulette will become legal, and the harness track casino is considered a leading candidate for such gaming if the measure passes. The track is already planning a $30 million expansion with a large new 120-room hotel, event space and fine dining that would add 260 jobs to its current 600-person work force.“I’m a union bricklayer by trade,” State Building and Construction Trades Council board member Al Catalano said. “The proposal to build additional casinos will help construction workers throughout the state get jobs. We hope it passes with flying colors.” Some residents have said more blue-collar jobs won’t help out-of-work professionals. But Assemblyman Tony Jordan emphasized the importance of trade positions.

“All kinds of jobs are needed,” he said. “Trade jobs will benefit high school students, college students and workers who have made these positions their career.”

Jordan said people who go into these jobs learn their trades, labor and acquire a skill set, and then start their own companies,” Jordan said. “Small local businesses are the backbone of our community. These owners work too hard to travel, so they put their money right back into their town.”

Although the proposal has bipartisan support, voters from both parties have expressed concern about a new casino in Saratoga Springs. Jordan divided those worries into macro-level and micro-level issues.

“On the macro level, statewide concerns are about morality and gambling addictions,” he said. “Of course, these are serious issues.”

On the micro level, Jordan said, Saratogians are anxious about what a new casino would do to Spa City. There are questions about infrastructure needs, whether a criminal element will emerge around the new gambling venue and whether the casino will compete with other local places such as the City Center and Saratoga Performing Arts Center.

“Understand, though, that gaming is already a reality in New York state,” Jordan said. “People who frequent casinos have other interests and will do other things here as well.”

Heather Briccetti, president and CEO of the Business Council of New York State, said New Yorkers spend more than $1.2 billion annually at destination casinos in other states.

“It’s time we bring that kind of money home to create jobs, support schools, and take property tax pressure off our towns and cities,” she said.